Watch-case



(Model.)

A. J. BUGLE.

WATCH CASE.

No. 338,271. Patented Mar. 23, 1886.

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WUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ANDREW JACKSON HUGLE, OF CHICAGO, lLLlNOIS.

WATCH-CASE.

SPECEFICATION part of Letters Patent No. 338,271, dated March 231 1886.

Application filed July 24.18.45.

To @ZZ 2071.077@ it may] colzcerltf Be it known that l, ANDREW Jackson HU- GLE, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ol" Illinois, have invented a new and uscful improvement in lVatclrCascs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to watch-cases which may be converted into either an open-face7 or a hunting-case.

Convertible watch-cases have been heretofore constructed of the type known as magic cases,77 wherein a smaller inner case with an open face is employed in combination with an outer revolnble case, which may be manipulated to present either the open face or the solid back oiA the inner case to the rim-plate of the outer case, and thus form either an open-face or a hunting-case watch. Vatchcases have also been constructed heretofore with bezel-rings, into which have been fitted crystals or metal cap-plates, each provided with screw-threads and applied interchangeably to the front or back of the watch-case, for the purpose specified.

My invention consists in a watch-case provided with an interchangeable cap-plate and crystal, which rit, one into the bezel-ring at the back of the movement case or center and the other into the hinged front plate or bezel of the said case, and which may be substituted one for the other, to convert the case into an open-face or hunting-case, as may be desired.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of my improved watch-case, with the front and back plates and bezel-ring in section and the front plate or bezel partly open, showing` a metal cap-plate applied tothe same and a crystal applied to the back bezelring; Fig. 2, a similar View of the lower half only of the watch-case with the back plate and bezel-ring in section, and showing the metal cap-plate applied to the back bezel-ring; Fig. 3, a face view of the inner side of the cap-plate; Fig. e, a sectional view of the cap-plate provided with an external thread upon its rim; Fig. 5, asectional view through the back bezelring and llange ofthe movement-case or center ring with a screw-threaded cap-plate-such as shown in Fig. at-applied to the said bezel-ring, which is similarly screw-threaded to receive the capplate, and Fig. 6 is a fragmental sec- Serial No. 172,575. (Model.)

tional view on enlarged scale through one side of the front plate or bezel and the cap-plate, showing the mode of applying the latter to the former.

The center ring, A, pendant B, and push-pin C are ol' well-kn own form, and the bezel D and back plate, E, are hinged by pins and lugs e e to the center ring opposite the pendant. The baci: plate, E, is made of solid metal, co1npletel y covering and inelosing the back of the case, and the bezel D is made in the form o1" an open rim to receive either a metal plate or a crystal, to allow the face of the watch to be either completely covered by said metal plate or be made visible through the crystal when the one or the other is employed. The bezel D is formed with an outer flange, d, a middle internally-projecting ledge, d, and an inner rim, di. rlhe outer flange, d, is formed with a conical recess, di, into which the crystal F may be sprung in the usual way, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. l. The ledge d projects inwardly from the flange d a sufficient distance to form a solid support for the rim of the crystal, and is provided with a thread upon its inner surface to receive the correspondingly threaded rim of a metal plate, G, which is used to replace the crystal when a solid front plate or hunting-watch case is desired.

Thebaclr bezel-ring, H, may be formed in the usual way with a conically-reeessed rim, 71, or it may he formed with a conical recess and an internally screwthreaded ledge, h', as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 5 of the drawings.

The metal cap-plate G is provided with eX ternal threads,g, upon the outersurface of a rim, g, projecting from its inner face, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, which will permit the capplate to be screwed into the screw-threaded back bezel-ring, H, or the screw-threaded bezel D. The said cap-plate is formed with a flange, g2, projecting from its face outside of the rim g', which flange rests solidly upon the ledge h of the back bezel-ring, H, or the corresponding ledge, d', of the bezel D when it is secured to said parts. A

The mode of securing the cap-plate Gto the bezel D, or to the back bezel-ring, H, is performed by screwing the cap -plate into the threaded portion of the bezel D as shown in Figs. l and 6, or into the threaded portion of the back bezel-ring, H, as shown in Figs. 2 and 5. The outer flange and inwardlyprojecting ledge of the bezel and the back bezelring will together serve to snugly inclose and t the flange and rim of the cap-plate, and provide a solid seat and closely-fitting joint, which will protect the interior of the case from dust and moisture.

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. A watch case provided with a hinged open front plate or bezel adapted to receive a cap-plate or crystal, in combination with a bezel-ring removably secured to the back of the case-center, similarly formed to receive said crystal or cap-plate interchangeably with the bezel, substantially as described.

ANDREW JACKSON HUGLE.

Witnesses: y WILL S..NOBLE, HENRY BERNING. 

